Authors Note: Ok, I haven't played Harvest Moon: Animal Parade yet. But I have played Tree of Tranquility and agree it's the best video game in the world. But after watching youtube videos and reading fanfics, I have already fallen in love with the Wizard/Gale. He's awesome. I decided to make my own fanfic because I don't think the other ones really capture the innocence and simplicity of Harvest Moon. The other one's had some sexual themes…. Ew….. So anyhoo here's Chapter Uno!

Chapter 1:

I stepped off the ferry and onto the soil of Castanet Island. I felt the cool clean breeze and smelled the slight scent of freshly mown grass. The ferry quickly pulled out of the dock as if scared to stay any longer. I didn't have much luggage, just a suitcase of clothes/toiletries and another suitcase of personal possessions.

All of a sudden the sky turned grey and rain started pouring down as if the sky was sobbing. I grabbed my surprisingly light suitcases and ran to the nearest (and what looked like the only) Inn. It was warm inside and I was greeted by a middle-aged couple who seemed very eager to hook me up with a room.

"Hello traveler!" The man said. "My name is Jake, this is my wife Colleen. It is a nice surprise to see a new face on the island. What brings you here?"

"Hello! You may call me Melody, or Mel- everyone back home calls me Mel. I'm from a generic big city. The name is not important, for it is all behind me now. I've come to be a rancher!"

"Ahh so you're the new rancher everyone is buzzing about" Colleen said. "What lured you away from the city?"

"Well, I've just finished my schooling, and I'm eager to try new things. The city was so drab and unpleasant… Or perhaps it just seemed that was to me because I grew up there. I've always read about small farm towns such as this one. And ever since I was little I knew this is the kind of place I wanted to be." I replied confidently.

"So wise beyond your years… I'm sure you'll make a fine rancher." Jake said, impressed. "Allow me to help you carry your bags to your room, it is late and you need rest and I'm sure your house isn't nearly finished yet."

Jake carried my bags to the second floor for me, we stopped at a room with a twin bed, dresser, and nightstand with a lamp. Typical inn room – but it had a quaint charm to it… As did the rest of the island.

"This town is so simple… So beautiful." I said plopping down on the comfy bed. "I can't wait to start my life here."

"Melody, it is not all as it seems…" Jake said cautiously, wanting to tell me the truth but not wanting to crush my high hopes. "The island is suffering, the Harvest King has not been seen in years, and the fires are so weak we can barely warm ourselves in winter." Jake saw the disappointed look on my face "But hey, maybe you being a rancher can help. We can all work together to save the island like we have been right?"

"Right" I replied sleepily.

Jake closed the door behind him and I fell asleep almost instantly.

When I awoke, sun was streaking through the window joyfully so I quickly got showered and dressed. I put my long brown hair in an updo so it would not get in my way, I considered cutting it short for the modern ranching life… But I just didn't have the guts. My bright blue eyes stared back at me when I looked in the mirror, I wore a jean skirt, purple cami with a light orange jacket with orange boots to match. I hopped downstairs where I smelled pancakes and warm syrup. There, I found an orange-haired boy and plump, graying old woman scurrying around the kitchen flipping pancakes and pouring orange juice. A cute but clumsy blonde in braids waited the few tables there were to wait, and Jake and Colleen stood by the cash register talking business. But all the hustle and bustle seemed to pause when I reached the foot of the stairs.

"So that's the new rancher?" The orange haired boy said, breaking the silence,

"I'd like you all to meet Melody!" Jake said beaming. "Melody, this is Yolanda, Chase, and Maya. And over here at the table it is my pleasure to introduce you to Mayor Hamilton and his son, Gill." The plump old man in blue at the table hopped up and scurried over to me on his short little legs and shook my hand.

"Good morning little lady! So you're our new rancher huh? I'm pleased to say your farm will be livable within 2 days, until then why don't you get out and meet the townsfolk? Starting with my son Gill. Gill, come say hello."

A platinum blonde boy stood up from the table. He was dressed like a stuffy office dweeb, but his face was pretty cute –stern- but cute. "Pleasure to meet you." The boy took my hand and bowed. "You never mentioned your name."

"Oh! I'm Melody, it's a pleasure to meet you all! You are all so welcoming."

"How about breakfast?" Yolanda offered

I sat at the table with Hamilton and Gill, Yolanda and Chase cooked us the best pancakes I've ever eaten, and Maya provided very interesting conversation. I also spoke with Hamilton and Gill. Hamilton was cheery and jolly, but his son seemed like the opposite. Wonder how that worked out.

After thanking everyone for the wonderful meal I set out to meet the townsfolk. I met EVERYONE. My jaw was sore from so much talking. I was strolling along a cobblestone road when something bashed into the back of my head.

"OW! What the-?" I said turning around to see a yellow pixie thing.

"You can see me?" The pixie exclaimed

"Well duh. What are you?" I asked, not meaning to be rude, but insanely curious.

"I am a Harvest Sprite! My name is Finn and only those with pure of heart can see me. The Harvest Goddess desperately needs you!" he babbled.

Finn then went on to tell me everything. About the bells and the Goddess and King, it sounded like a fairytale.

"Will you help me?" Finn begged

"Well it doesn't seem I have a choice huh? I would be honored to help you Finn." The look on the harvest sprites face when I said those magic words made my day alone he looked so jubilant.

"Well Finn, it seems you'll be my companion for a while, and I've almost done meeting all the townsfolk. I just need to see who lives there." I pointed at a cottage not far from where we were standing.

The sprites eyes grew wide. "That's the Wizard's house! I hear he's a loon! He never comes out of his house and he thinks he can tell fortunes and-"

"Finn, I have to meet everyone in town. That includes the loons." I laughed it off but was secretly sort of scared.